Automated Keyboard Mapping for Virtual Desktops

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for performing automated keyboard mapping for virtual desktops are described herein. A system may generate a keyboard mapping table containing a plurality of keyboard inputs. The system may simulate a keyboard input locally at the system and using a virtual desktop hosted by a remote desktop platform to generate keyboard simulation outputs in response to a first keyboard input. In response to determining a discrepancy between the keyboard simulation outputs, the system may modify a key value in the keyboard mapping table resulting in a corrected keyboard mapping table, where the key value corresponds to the first keyboard input. In response to receiving a second keyboard input, the system may apply the corrected keyboard mapping table to display a keyboard output at the virtual desktop hosted by the remote desktop platform, where the second keyboard input has the same key value as the first keyboard input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Ser. No. 16/221,849, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, and entitled “AutomatedKeyboard Mapping for Virtual Desktops,” which claims priority toInternational Application No. PCT/CN2018/114749, filed Nov. 9, 2018, andentitled, “Automated Keyboard Mapping for Virtual Desktops,” both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference as to their entirety.

FIELD

Aspects described herein generally relate to enhanced processing systemsfor performing automated keyboard mapping for virtual desktops. Inparticular, one or more aspects of the disclosure relate to comparing alocal keyboard output with a keyboard output at a virtual desktop, andperforming automatic correction in a keyboard mapping table if theoutputs do not match.

BACKGROUND

Many organizations and individuals rely on virtual desktops tocompensate for limited screen area at a computing device as well as tofacilitate remote access to secure networks. Thus, it may be importantto ensure that a user experience with a virtual desktop resembles atypical user experience at a computing device.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects describedherein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intendedto identify required or critical elements or to delineate the scope ofthe claims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in asimplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detaileddescription provided below.

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will be apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, aspects described herein aredirected towards systems and methods for performing automated keyboardmapping for virtual desktops.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a systemcomprising at least one processor and a memory, may generate a keyboardmapping table containing a plurality of keyboard inputs. The system maysimulate a keyboard input locally at the system and using a virtualdesktop hosted by a remote desktop platform to generate keyboardsimulation outputs in response to a first keyboard input. In response todetermining a discrepancy between the keyboard simulation outputs, thesystem may modify a key value in the keyboard mapping table resulting ina corrected keyboard mapping table, where the key value corresponds tothe first keyboard input. In response to receiving a second keyboardinput, the system may apply the corrected keyboard mapping table todisplay a keyboard output at the virtual desktop hosted by the remotedesktop platform, where the second keyboard input has the same key valueas the first keyboard input.

In one or more instances, the system may receive inputs corresponding toeach of the plurality of keyboard inputs. The inputs may be informationcorresponding to one or more of: an operating system, a keyboard mode,and a browser. After receiving the inputs, the system may install theinputs, which may create a keyboard mapping test environment.

In one or more instances, the first keyboard input may be a multiplekeystroke command. In one or more instances, the system mayautomatically compile a keyboard mapping test automation script usingthe keyboard mapping table, which may cause the system to simulate eachof the plurality of keyboard inputs contained in the keyboard mappingtable.

In one or more instances, the keyboard simulation outputs may bepresented on a display of the system and the virtual desktop hosted bythe remote desktop platform, respectively, in response to the firstkeyboard input. In one or more instances, a keyboard mapping testautomation script may cause the system to capture screenshots of thesystem and the virtual desktop respectively, and the screenshots maycontain the keyboard simulation outputs.

In one or more instances, the system may compare the screenshots todetermine whether the keyboard simulation output displayed at the systemand the virtual desktop match. In one or more instances, the keyboardmapping table may include key values corresponding to keyboard inputs,and each key value may be an independent computing architecture (ICA)key value.

In one or more instances, in response to determining that the keyboardsimulation outputs are equivalent, the system may record that the keyvalue is correct by marking an ICA value in the keyboard mapping tablethat corresponds to the first keyboard input. In one or more instances,the keyboard input may correspond to one of: a single character and akeyboard command.

These and additional aspects will be appreciated with the benefit of thedisclosures discussed in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of aspects described herein and theadvantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the followingdescription in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative computer system architecture that may beused in accordance with one or more illustrative aspects describedherein.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative remote-access system architecture thatmay be used in accordance with one or more illustrative aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative virtualized (hypervisor) systemarchitecture that may be used in accordance with one or moreillustrative aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative cloud-based system architecture that maybe used in accordance with one or more illustrative aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative enterprise mobility management system.

FIG. 6 depicts another illustrative enterprise mobility managementsystem.

FIGS. 7A-7B depict an illustrative computing environment for performingautomated keyboard mapping for virtual desktops in accordance with oneor more example embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B depict an illustrative event sequence for performingautomated keyboard mapping for virtual desktops in accordance with oneor more example embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative method for performing automated keyboardmapping for virtual desktops in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10B depict graphical user interfaces and a correspondingkeyboard mapping table associated with performance of automated keyboardmapping for virtual desktops.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict graphical user interfaces and a correspondingkeyboard mapping table associated with performance of automated keyboardmapping for virtual desktops.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings identified above and which form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodimentsin which aspects described herein may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scopedescribed herein. Various aspects are capable of other embodiments andof being practiced or being carried out in various different ways.

As a general introduction to the subject matter described in more detailbelow, aspects described herein are directed towards a method forautomatically comparing outputs, displayed or otherwise processed,corresponding to keyboard inputs and determining that one of more of theoutputs are incorrectly mapped to the corresponding keyboard inputs inthe context of virtual desktops and/or applications. The method buildstest cases for specified combinations of operating systems, browsers,keyboard types, or the like, which are defined in a keyboard mappingtable. The method compares a simulated keyboard output generated on alocal machine with an output on a virtual desktop/application using textrecognition. If the simulated keyboard outputs do not match, thekeyboard mapping is presumed incorrect, and automatic correction in akeyboard mapping table is performed.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used hereinare for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. Rather, the phrases and terms used herein are to be giventheir broadest interpretation and meaning. The use of “including” and“comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional itemsand equivalents thereof. The use of the terms “connected,” “coupled,”and similar terms, is meant to include both direct and indirectconnecting and coupling.

Computing Architecture

Computer software, hardware, and networks may be utilized in a varietyof different system environments, including standalone, networked,remote-access (also known as remote desktop), virtualized, and/orcloud-based environments, among others. FIG. 1 illustrates one exampleof a system architecture and data processing device that may be used toimplement one or more illustrative aspects described herein in astandalone and/or networked environment. Various network nodes 103, 105,107, and 109 may be interconnected via a wide area network (WAN) 101,such as the Internet. Other networks may also or alternatively be used,including private intranets, corporate networks, local area networks(LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), wireless networks, personalnetworks (PAN), and the like. Network 101 is for illustration purposesand may be replaced with fewer or additional computer networks. A localarea network 133 may have one or more of any known LAN topology and mayuse one or more of a variety of different protocols, such as Ethernet.Devices 103, 105, 107, and 109 and other devices (not shown) may beconnected to one or more of the networks via twisted pair wires, coaxialcable, fiber optics, radio waves, or other communication media.

The term “network” as used herein and depicted in the drawings refersnot only to systems in which remote storage devices are coupled togethervia one or more communication paths, but also to stand-alone devicesthat may be coupled, from time to time, to such systems that havestorage capability. Consequently, the term “network” includes not only a“physical network” but also a “content network,” which is comprised ofthe data—attributable to a single entity—which resides across allphysical networks.

The components may include data server 103, web server 105, and clientcomputers 107, 109. Data server 103 provides overall access, control andadministration of databases and control software for performing one ormore illustrative aspects describe herein. Data server 103 may beconnected to web server 105 through which users interact with and obtaindata as requested. Alternatively, data server 103 may act as a webserver itself and be directly connected to the Internet. Data server 103may be connected to web server 105 through the local area network 133,the wide area network 101 (e.g., the Internet), via direct or indirectconnection, or via some other network. Users may interact with the dataserver 103 using remote computers 107, 109, e.g., using a web browser toconnect to the data server 103 via one or more externally exposed websites hosted by web server 105. Client computers 107, 109 may be used inconcert with data server 103 to access data stored therein, or may beused for other purposes. For example, from client device 107 a user mayaccess web server 105 using an Internet browser, as is known in the art,or by executing a software application that communicates with web server105 and/or data server 103 over a computer network (such as theInternet).

Servers and applications may be combined on the same physical machines,and retain separate virtual or logical addresses, or may reside onseparate physical machines. FIG. 1 illustrates just one example of anetwork architecture that may be used, and those of skill in the artwill appreciate that the specific network architecture and dataprocessing devices used may vary, and are secondary to the functionalitythat they provide, as further described herein. For example, servicesprovided by web server 105 and data server 103 may be combined on asingle server.

Each component 103, 105, 107, 109 may be any type of known computer,server, or data processing device. Data server 103, e.g., may include aprocessor 111 controlling overall operation of the data server 103. Dataserver 103 may further include random access memory (RAM) 113, read onlymemory (ROM) 115, network interface 117, input/output interfaces 119(e.g., keyboard, mouse, display, printer, etc.), and memory 121.Input/output (I/O) 119 may include a variety of interface units anddrives for reading, writing, displaying, and/or printing data or files.Memory 121 may further store operating system software 123 forcontrolling overall operation of the data processing device 103, controllogic 125 for instructing data server 103 to perform aspects describedherein, and other application software 127 providing secondary, support,and/or other functionality which may or might not be used in conjunctionwith aspects described herein. The control logic 125 may also bereferred to herein as the data server software 125. Functionality of thedata server software 125 may refer to operations or decisions madeautomatically based on rules coded into the control logic 125, mademanually by a user providing input into the system, and/or a combinationof automatic processing based on user input (e.g., queries, dataupdates, etc.).

Memory 121 may also store data used in performance of one or moreaspects described herein, including a first database 129 and a seconddatabase 131. In some embodiments, the first database 129 may includethe second database 131 (e.g., as a separate table, report, etc.). Thatis, the information can be stored in a single database, or separatedinto different logical, virtual, or physical databases, depending onsystem design. Devices 105, 107, and 109 may have similar or differentarchitecture as described with respect to device 103. Those of skill inthe art will appreciate that the functionality of data processing device103 (or device 105, 107, or 109) as described herein may be spreadacross multiple data processing devices, for example, to distributeprocessing load across multiple computers, to segregate transactionsbased on geographic location, user access level, quality of service(QoS), etc.

One or more aspects may be embodied in computer-usable or readable dataand/or computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices as describedherein. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor ina computer or other device. The modules may be written in a source codeprogramming language that is subsequently compiled for execution, or maybe written in a scripting language such as (but not limited to)HyperText Markup Language (HTML) or Extensible Markup Language (XML).The computer executable instructions may be stored on a computerreadable medium such as a nonvolatile storage device. Any suitablecomputer readable storage media may be utilized, including hard disks,CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or anycombination thereof. In addition, various transmission (non-storage)media representing data or events as described herein may be transferredbetween a source and a destination in the form of electromagnetic wavestraveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires, opticalfibers, and/or wireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or space).Various aspects described herein may be embodied as a method, a dataprocessing system, or a computer program product. Therefore, variousfunctionalities may be embodied in whole or in part in software,firmware, and/or hardware or hardware equivalents such as integratedcircuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like.Particular data structures may be used to more effectively implement oneor more aspects described herein, and such data structures arecontemplated within the scope of computer executable instructions andcomputer-usable data described herein.

With further reference to FIG. 2, one or more aspects described hereinmay be implemented in a remote-access environment. FIG. 2 depicts anexample system architecture including a computing device 201 in anillustrative computing environment 200 that may be used according to oneor more illustrative aspects described herein. Computing device 201 maybe used as a server 206 a in a single-server or multi-server desktopvirtualization system (e.g., a remote access or cloud system) and can beconfigured to provide virtual machines for client access devices. Thecomputing device 201 may have a processor 203 for controlling overalloperation of the device 201 and its associated components, including RAM205, ROM 207, Input/Output (I/O) module 209, and memory 215.

I/O module 209 may include a mouse, keypad, touch screen, scanner,optical reader, and/or stylus (or other input device(s)) through which auser of computing device 201 may provide input, and may also include oneor more of a speaker for providing audio output and one or more of avideo display device for providing textual, audiovisual, and/orgraphical output. Software may be stored within memory 215 and/or otherstorage to provide instructions to processor 203 for configuringcomputing device 201 into a special purpose computing device in order toperform various functions as described herein. For example, memory 215may store software used by the computing device 201, such as anoperating system 217, application programs 219, and an associateddatabase 221.

Computing device 201 may operate in a networked environment supportingconnections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals 240 (alsoreferred to as client devices). The terminals 240 may be personalcomputers, mobile devices, laptop computers, tablets, or servers thatinclude many or all of the elements described above with respect to thecomputing device 103 or 201. The network connections depicted in FIG. 2include a local area network (LAN) 225 and a wide area network (WAN)229, but may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networkingenvironment, computing device 201 may be connected to the LAN 225through a network interface or adapter 223. When used in a WANnetworking environment, computing device 201 may include a modem orother wide area network interface 227 for establishing communicationsover the WAN 229, such as computer network 230 (e.g., the Internet). Itwill be appreciated that the network connections shown are illustrativeand other means of establishing a communications link between thecomputers may be used. Computing device 201 and/or terminals 240 mayalso be mobile terminals (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), notebooks, etc.) including various othercomponents, such as a battery, speaker, and antennas (not shown).

Aspects described herein may also be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of other computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspectsdescribed herein include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more client devices 240 may be incommunication with one or more servers 206 a-206 n (generally referredto herein as “server(s) 206”). In one embodiment, the computingenvironment 200 may include a network appliance installed between theserver(s) 206 and client machine(s) 240. The network appliance maymanage client/server connections, and in some cases can load balanceclient connections amongst a plurality of backend servers 206.

The client machine(s) 240 may in some embodiments be referred to as asingle client machine 240 or a single group of client machines 240,while server(s) 206 may be referred to as a single server 206 or asingle group of servers 206. In one embodiment a single client machine240 communicates with more than one server 206, while in anotherembodiment a single server 206 communicates with more than one clientmachine 240. In yet another embodiment, a single client machine 240communicates with a single server 206.

A client machine 240 can, in some embodiments, be referenced by any oneof the following non-exhaustive terms: client machine(s); client(s);client computer(s); client device(s); client computing device(s); localmachine; remote machine; client node(s); endpoint(s); or endpointnode(s). The server 206, in some embodiments, may be referenced by anyone of the following non-exhaustive terms: server(s), local machine;remote machine; server farm(s), or host computing device(s).

In one embodiment, the client machine 240 may be a virtual machine. Thevirtual machine may be any virtual machine, while in some embodimentsthe virtual machine may be any virtual machine managed by a Type 1 orType 2 hypervisor, for example, a hypervisor developed by CitrixSystems, IBM, VMware, or any other hypervisor. In some aspects, thevirtual machine may be managed by a hypervisor, while in other aspectsthe virtual machine may be managed by a hypervisor executing on a server206 or a hypervisor executing on a client 240.

Some embodiments include a client device 240 that displays applicationoutput generated by an application remotely executing on a server 206 orother remotely located machine. In these embodiments, the client device240 may execute a virtual machine receiver program or application todisplay the output in an application window, a browser, or other outputwindow. In one example, the application is a desktop, while in otherexamples the application is an application that generates or presents adesktop. A desktop may include a graphical shell providing a userinterface for an instance of an operating system in which local and/orremote applications can be integrated. Applications, as used herein, areprograms that execute after an instance of an operating system (and,optionally, also the desktop) has been loaded.

The server 206, in some embodiments, uses a remote presentation protocolor other program to send data to a thin-client or remote-displayapplication executing on the client to present display output generatedby an application executing on the server 206. The thin-client orremote-display protocol can be any one of the following non-exhaustivelist of protocols: the Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) protocoldeveloped by Citrix Systems, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; or the RemoteDesktop Protocol (RDP) manufactured by the Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash.

A remote computing environment may include more than one server 206a-206 n such that the servers 206 a-206 n are logically grouped togetherinto a server farm 206, for example, in a cloud computing environment.The server farm 206 may include servers 206 that are geographicallydispersed while logically grouped together, or servers 206 that arelocated proximate to each other while logically grouped together.Geographically dispersed servers 206 a-206 n within a server farm 206can, in some embodiments, communicate using a WAN (wide), MAN(metropolitan), or LAN (local), where different geographic regions canbe characterized as: different continents; different regions of acontinent; different countries; different states; different cities;different campuses; different rooms; or any combination of the precedinggeographical locations. In some embodiments the server farm 206 may beadministered as a single entity, while in other embodiments the serverfarm 206 can include multiple server farms.

In some embodiments, a server farm may include servers 206 that executea substantially similar type of operating system platform (e.g.,WINDOWS, UNIX, LINUX, iOS, ANDROID, SYMBIAN, etc.) In other embodiments,server farm 206 may include a first group of one or more servers thatexecute a first type of operating system platform, and a second group ofone or more servers that execute a second type of operating systemplatform.

Server 206 may be configured as any type of server, as needed, e.g., afile server, an application server, a web server, a proxy server, anappliance, a network appliance, a gateway, an application gateway, agateway server, a virtualization server, a deployment server, a SecureSockets Layer (SSL) VPN server, a firewall, a web server, an applicationserver or as a master application server, a server executing an activedirectory, or a server executing an application acceleration programthat provides firewall functionality, application functionality, or loadbalancing functionality. Other server types may also be used.

Some embodiments include a first server 206 a that receives requestsfrom a client machine 240, forwards the request to a second server 206 b(not shown), and responds to the request generated by the client machine240 with a response from the second server 206 b (not shown.) Firstserver 206 a may acquire an enumeration of applications available to theclient machine 240 as well as address information associated with anapplication server 206 hosting an application identified within theenumeration of applications. First server 206 a can then present aresponse to the client's request using a web interface, and communicatedirectly with the client 240 to provide the client 240 with access to anidentified application. One or more clients 240 and/or one or moreservers 206 may transmit data over network 230, e.g., network 101.

FIG. 3 shows a high-level architecture of an illustrative desktopvirtualization system. As shown, the desktop virtualization system maybe single-server or multi-server system, or cloud system, including atleast one virtualization server 301 configured to provide virtualdesktops and/or virtual applications to one or more client accessdevices 240. As used herein, a desktop refers to a graphical environmentor space in which one or more applications may be hosted and/orexecuted. A desktop may include a graphical shell providing a userinterface for an instance of an operating system in which local and/orremote applications can be integrated. Applications may include programsthat execute after an instance of an operating system (and, optionally,also the desktop) has been loaded. Each instance of the operating systemmay be physical (e.g., one operating system per device) or virtual (e g,many instances of an OS running on a single device). Each applicationmay be executed on a local device, or executed on a remotely locateddevice (e.g., remoted).

A computer device 301 may be configured as a virtualization server in avirtualization environment, for example, a single-server, multi-server,or cloud computing environment. Virtualization server 301 illustrated inFIG. 3 can be deployed as and/or implemented by one or more embodimentsof the server 206 illustrated in FIG. 2 or by other known computingdevices. Included in virtualization server 301 is a hardware layer thatcan include one or more physical disks 304, one or more physical devices306, one or more physical processors 308, and one or more physicalmemories 316. In some embodiments, firmware 312 can be stored within amemory element in the physical memory 316 and can be executed by one ormore of the physical processors 308. Virtualization server 301 mayfurther include an operating system 314 that may be stored in a memoryelement in the physical memory 316 and executed by one or more of thephysical processors 308. Still further, a hypervisor 302 may be storedin a memory element in the physical memory 316 and can be executed byone or more of the physical processors 308.

Executing on one or more of the physical processors 308 may be one ormore virtual machines 332A-C (generally 332). Each virtual machine 332may have a virtual disk 326A-C and a virtual processor 328A-C. In someembodiments, a first virtual machine 332A may execute, using a virtualprocessor 328A, a control program 320 that includes a tools stack 324.Control program 320 may be referred to as a control virtual machine,Dom0, Domain 0, or other virtual machine used for system administrationand/or control. In some embodiments, one or more virtual machines 332B-Ccan execute, using a virtual processor 328B-C, a guest operating system330A-B.

Virtualization server 301 may include a hardware layer 310 with one ormore pieces of hardware that communicate with the virtualization server301. In some embodiments, the hardware layer 310 can include one or morephysical disks 304, one or more physical devices 306, one or morephysical processors 308, and one or more physical memory 316. Physicalcomponents 304, 306, 308, and 316 may include, for example, any of thecomponents described above. Physical devices 306 may include, forexample, a network interface card, a video card, a keyboard, a mouse, aninput device, a monitor, a display device, speakers, an optical drive, astorage device, a universal serial bus connection, a printer, a scanner,a network element (e.g., router, firewall, network address translator,load balancer, virtual private network (VPN) gateway, Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol (DHCP) router, etc.), or any device connected toor communicating with virtualization server 301. Physical memory 316 inthe hardware layer 310 may include any type of memory. Physical memory316 may store data, and in some embodiments may store one or moreprograms, or set of executable instructions. FIG. 3 illustrates anembodiment where firmware 312 is stored within the physical memory 316of virtualization server 301. Programs or executable instructions storedin the physical memory 316 can be executed by the one or more processors308 of virtualization server 301.

Virtualization server 301 may also include a hypervisor 302. In someembodiments, hypervisor 302 may be a program executed by processors 308on virtualization server 301 to create and manage any number of virtualmachines 332. Hypervisor 302 may be referred to as a virtual machinemonitor, or platform virtualization software. In some embodiments,hypervisor 302 can be any combination of executable instructions andhardware that monitors virtual machines executing on a computingmachine. Hypervisor 302 may be Type 2 hypervisor, where the hypervisorexecutes within an operating system 314 executing on the virtualizationserver 301. Virtual machines may then execute at a level above thehypervisor 302. In some embodiments, the Type 2 hypervisor may executewithin the context of a user's operating system such that the Type 2hypervisor interacts with the user's operating system. In otherembodiments, one or more virtualization servers 301 in a virtualizationenvironment may instead include a Type 1 hypervisor (not shown). A Type1 hypervisor may execute on the virtualization server 301 by directlyaccessing the hardware and resources within the hardware layer 310. Thatis, while a Type 2 hypervisor 302 accesses system resources through ahost operating system 314, as shown, a Type 1 hypervisor may directlyaccess all system resources without the host operating system 314. AType 1 hypervisor may execute directly on one or more physicalprocessors 308 of virtualization server 301, and may include programdata stored in the physical memory 316.

Hypervisor 302, in some embodiments, can provide virtual resources tooperating systems 330 or control programs 320 executing on virtualmachines 332 in any manner that simulates the operating systems 330 orcontrol programs 320 having direct access to system resources. Systemresources can include, but are not limited to, physical devices 306,physical disks 304, physical processors 308, physical memory 316, andany other component included in hardware layer 310 of the virtualizationserver 301. Hypervisor 302 may be used to emulate virtual hardware,partition physical hardware, virtualize physical hardware, and/orexecute virtual machines that provide access to computing environments.In still other embodiments, hypervisor 302 may control processorscheduling and memory partitioning for a virtual machine 332 executingon virtualization server 301. Hypervisor 302 may include thosemanufactured by VMWare, Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif.; the XENPROJECThypervisor, an open source product whose development is overseen by theopen source XenProject.org community; HyperV, VirtualServer or virtualPC hypervisors provided by Microsoft, or others. In some embodiments,virtualization server 301 may execute a hypervisor 302 that creates avirtual machine platform on which guest operating systems may execute.In these embodiments, the virtualization server 301 may be referred toas a host server. An example of such a virtualization server is theXENSERVER provided by Citrix Systems, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Hypervisor 302 may create one or more virtual machines 332B-C (generally332) in which guest operating systems 330 execute. In some embodiments,hypervisor 302 may load a virtual machine image to create a virtualmachine 332. In other embodiments, the hypervisor 302 may execute aguest operating system 330 within virtual machine 332. In still otherembodiments, virtual machine 332 may execute guest operating system 330.

In addition to creating virtual machines 332, hypervisor 302 may controlthe execution of at least one virtual machine 332. In other embodiments,hypervisor 302 may present at least one virtual machine 332 with anabstraction of at least one hardware resource provided by thevirtualization server 301 (e.g., any hardware resource available withinthe hardware layer 310). In other embodiments, hypervisor 302 maycontrol the manner in which virtual machines 332 access physicalprocessors 308 available in virtualization server 301. Controllingaccess to physical processors 308 may include determining whether avirtual machine 332 should have access to a processor 308, and howphysical processor capabilities are presented to the virtual machine332.

As shown in FIG. 3, virtualization server 301 may host or execute one ormore virtual machines 332. A virtual machine 332 is a set of executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor 308, may imitate theoperation of a physical computer such that the virtual machine 332 canexecute programs and processes much like a physical computing device.While FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where a virtualization server 301hosts three virtual machines 332, in other embodiments virtualizationserver 301 can host any number of virtual machines 332. Hypervisor 302,in some embodiments, may provide each virtual machine 332 with a uniquevirtual view of the physical hardware, memory, processor, and othersystem resources available to that virtual machine 332. In someembodiments, the unique virtual view can be based on one or more ofvirtual machine permissions, application of a policy engine to one ormore virtual machine identifiers, a user accessing a virtual machine,the applications executing on a virtual machine, networks accessed by avirtual machine, or any other desired criteria. For instance, hypervisor302 may create one or more unsecure virtual machines 332 and one or moresecure virtual machines 332. Unsecure virtual machines 332 may beprevented from accessing resources, hardware, memory locations, andprograms that secure virtual machines 332 may be permitted to access. Inother embodiments, hypervisor 302 may provide each virtual machine 332with a substantially similar virtual view of the physical hardware,memory, processor, and other system resources available to the virtualmachines 332.

Each virtual machine 332 may include a virtual disk 326A-C (generally326) and a virtual processor 328A-C (generally 328.) The virtual disk326, in some embodiments, is a virtualized view of one or more physicaldisks 304 of the virtualization server 301, or a portion of one or morephysical disks 304 of the virtualization server 301. The virtualizedview of the physical disks 304 can be generated, provided, and managedby the hypervisor 302. In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 provides eachvirtual machine 332 with a unique view of the physical disks 304. Thus,in these embodiments, the particular virtual disk 326 included in eachvirtual machine 332 can be unique when compared with the other virtualdisks 326.

A virtual processor 328 can be a virtualized view of one or morephysical processors 308 of the virtualization server 301. In someembodiments, the virtualized view of the physical processors 308 can begenerated, provided, and managed by hypervisor 302. In some embodiments,virtual processor 328 has substantially all of the same characteristicsof at least one physical processor 308. In other embodiments, virtualprocessor 308 provides a modified view of physical processors 308 suchthat at least some of the characteristics of the virtual processor 328are different than the characteristics of the corresponding physicalprocessor 308.

With further reference to FIG. 4, some aspects described herein may beimplemented in a cloud-based environment. FIG. 4 illustrates an exampleof a cloud computing environment (or cloud system) 400. As seen in FIG.4, client computers 411-414 may communicate with a cloud managementserver 410 to access the computing resources (e.g., host servers 403a-403 b (generally referred herein as “host servers 403”), storageresources 404 a-404 b (generally referred herein as “storage resources404”), and network elements 405 a-405 b (generally referred herein as“network resources 405”)) of the cloud system.

Management server 410 may be implemented on one or more physicalservers. The management server 410 may run, for example, CLOUDPLATFORMby Citrix Systems, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., or OPENSTACK, amongothers. Management server 410 may manage various computing resources,including cloud hardware and software resources, for example, hostcomputers 403, data storage devices 404, and networking devices 405. Thecloud hardware and software resources may include private and/or publiccomponents. For example, a cloud may be configured as a private cloud tobe used by one or more particular customers or client computers 411-414and/or over a private network. In other embodiments, public clouds orhybrid public-private clouds may be used by other customers over an openor hybrid networks.

Management server 410 may be configured to provide user interfacesthrough which cloud operators and cloud customers may interact with thecloud system 400. For example, the management server 410 may provide aset of application programming interfaces (APIs) and/or one or morecloud operator console applications (e.g., web-based or standaloneapplications) with user interfaces to allow cloud operators to managethe cloud resources, configure the virtualization layer, manage customeraccounts, and perform other cloud administration tasks. The managementserver 410 also may include a set of APIs and/or one or more customerconsole applications with user interfaces configured to receive cloudcomputing requests from end users via client computers 411-414, forexample, requests to create, modify, or destroy virtual machines withinthe cloud. Client computers 411-414 may connect to management server 410via the Internet or some other communication network, and may requestaccess to one or more of the computing resources managed by managementserver 410. In response to client requests, the management server 410may include a resource manager configured to select and provisionphysical resources in the hardware layer of the cloud system based onthe client requests. For example, the management server 410 andadditional components of the cloud system may be configured toprovision, create, and manage virtual machines and their operatingenvironments (e.g., hypervisors, storage resources, services offered bythe network elements, etc.) for customers at client computers 411-414,over a network (e.g., the Internet), providing customers withcomputational resources, data storage services, networking capabilities,and computer platform and application support. Cloud systems also may beconfigured to provide various specific services, including securitysystems, development environments, user interfaces, and the like.

Certain clients 411-414 may be related, for example, to different clientcomputers creating virtual machines on behalf of the same end user, ordifferent users affiliated with the same company or organization. Inother examples, certain clients 411-414 may be unrelated, such as usersaffiliated with different companies or organizations. For unrelatedclients, information on the virtual machines or storage of any one usermay be hidden from other users.

Referring now to the physical hardware layer of a cloud computingenvironment, availability zones 401-402 (or zones) may refer to acollocated set of physical computing resources. Zones may begeographically separated from other zones in the overall cloud ofcomputing resources. For example, zone 401 may be a first clouddatacenter located in California, and zone 402 may be a second clouddatacenter located in Florida. Management server 410 may be located atone of the availability zones, or at a separate location. Each zone mayinclude an internal network that interfaces with devices that areoutside of the zone, such as the management server 410, through agateway. End users of the cloud (e.g., clients 411-414) might or mightnot be aware of the distinctions between zones. For example, an end usermay request the creation of a virtual machine having a specified amountof memory, processing power, and network capabilities. The managementserver 410 may respond to the user's request and may allocate theresources to create the virtual machine without the user knowing whetherthe virtual machine was created using resources from zone 401 or zone402. In other examples, the cloud system may allow end users to requestthat virtual machines (or other cloud resources) are allocated in aspecific zone or on specific resources 403-405 within a zone.

In this example, each zone 401-402 may include an arrangement of variousphysical hardware components (or computing resources) 403-405, forexample, physical hosting resources (or processing resources), physicalnetwork resources, physical storage resources, switches, and additionalhardware resources that may be used to provide cloud computing servicesto customers. The physical hosting resources in a cloud zone 401-402 mayinclude one or more computer servers 403, such as the virtualizationservers 301 described above, which may be configured to create and hostvirtual machine instances. The physical network resources in a cloudzone 401 or 402 may include one or more network elements 405 (e.g.,network service providers) comprising hardware and/or softwareconfigured to provide a network service to cloud customers, such asfirewalls, network address translators, load balancers, virtual privatenetwork (VPN) gateways, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)routers, and the like. The storage resources in the cloud zone 401-402may include storage disks (e.g., solid state drives (SSDs), magnetichard disks, etc.) and other storage devices.

The example cloud computing environment shown in FIG. 4 also may includea virtualization layer (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-3) with additionalhardware and/or software resources configured to create and managevirtual machines and provide other services to customers using thephysical resources in the cloud. The virtualization layer may includehypervisors, as described above in FIG. 3, along with other componentsto provide network virtualizations, storage virtualizations, etc. Thevirtualization layer may be as a separate layer from the physicalresource layer, or may share some or all of the same hardware and/orsoftware resources with the physical resource layer. For example, thevirtualization layer may include a hypervisor installed in each of thevirtualization servers 403 with the physical computing resources. Knowncloud systems may alternatively be used, e.g., WINDOWS AZURE (MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond Wash.), AMAZON EC2 (Amazon.com Inc. of Seattle,Wash.), IBM BLUE CLOUD (IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.), or others.

Enterprise Mobility Management Architecture

FIG. 5 represents an enterprise mobility technical architecture 500 foruse in a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) environment. The architectureenables a user of a mobile device 502 to both access enterprise orpersonal resources from a mobile device 502 and use the mobile device502 for personal use. The user may access such enterprise resources 504or enterprise services 508 using a mobile device 502 that is purchasedby the user or a mobile device 502 that is provided by the enterprise tothe user. The user may utilize the mobile device 502 for business useonly or for business and personal use. The mobile device 502 may run aniOS operating system, an Android operating system, or the like. Theenterprise may choose to implement policies to manage the mobile device502. The policies may be implemented through a firewall or gateway insuch a way that the mobile device 502 may be identified, secured orsecurity verified, and provided selective or full access to theenterprise resources (e.g., 504 and 508.) The policies may be mobiledevice management policies, mobile application management policies,mobile data management policies, or some combination of mobile device,application, and data management policies. A mobile device 502 that ismanaged through the application of mobile device management policies maybe referred to as an enrolled device.

In some embodiments, the operating system of the mobile device 502 maybe separated into a managed partition 510 and an unmanaged partition512. The managed partition 510 may have policies applied to it to securethe applications running on and data stored in the managed partition510. The applications running on the managed partition 510 may be secureapplications. In other embodiments, all applications may execute inaccordance with a set of one or more policy files received separate fromthe application, and which define one or more security parameters,features, resource restrictions, and/or other access controls that areenforced by the mobile device management system when that application isexecuting on the mobile device 502. By operating in accordance withtheir respective policy file(s), each application may be allowed orrestricted from communications with one or more other applicationsand/or resources, thereby creating a virtual partition. Thus, as usedherein, a partition may refer to a physically partitioned portion ofmemory (physical partition), a logically partitioned portion of memory(logical partition), and/or a virtual partition created as a result ofenforcement of one or more policies and/or policy files across multipleapplications as described herein (virtual partition). Stateddifferently, by enforcing policies on managed applications, thoseapplications may be restricted to only be able to communicate with othermanaged applications and trusted enterprise resources, thereby creatinga virtual partition that is not accessible by unmanaged applications anddevices.

The secure applications may be email applications, web browsingapplications, software-as-a-service (SaaS) access applications, WindowsApplication access applications, and the like. The secure applicationsmay be secure native applications 514, secure remote applications 522executed by a secure application launcher 518, virtualizationapplications 526 executed by a secure application launcher 518, and thelike. The secure native applications 514 may be wrapped by a secureapplication wrapper 520. The secure application wrapper 520 may includeintegrated policies that are executed on the mobile device 502 when thesecure native application 514 is executed on the mobile device 502. Thesecure application wrapper 520 may include meta-data that points thesecure native application 514 running on the mobile device 502 to theresources hosted at the enterprise (e.g., 504 and 508) that the securenative application 514 may require to complete the task requested uponexecution of the secure native application 514. The secure remoteapplications 522 executed by a secure application launcher 518 may beexecuted within the secure application launcher 518. The virtualizationapplications 526 executed by a secure application launcher 518 mayutilize resources on the mobile device 502, at the enterprise resources504, and the like. The resources used on the mobile device 502 by thevirtualization applications 526 executed by a secure applicationlauncher 518 may include user interaction resources, processingresources, and the like. The user interaction resources may be used tocollect and transmit keyboard input, mouse input, camera input, tactileinput, audio input, visual input, gesture input, and the like. Theprocessing resources may be used to present a user interface, processdata received from the enterprise resources 504, and the like. Theresources used at the enterprise resources 504 by the virtualizationapplications 526 executed by a secure application launcher 518 mayinclude user interface generation resources, processing resources, andthe like. The user interface generation resources may be used toassemble a user interface, modify a user interface, refresh a userinterface, and the like. The processing resources may be used to createinformation, read information, update information, delete information,and the like. For example, the virtualization application 526 may recorduser interactions associated with a graphical user interface (GUI) andcommunicate them to a server application where the server applicationwill use the user interaction data as an input to the applicationoperating on the server. In such an arrangement, an enterprise may electto maintain the application on the server side as well as data, files,etc. associated with the application. While an enterprise may elect to“mobilize” some applications in accordance with the principles herein bysecuring them for deployment on the mobile device 502, this arrangementmay also be elected for certain applications. For example, while someapplications may be secured for use on the mobile device 502, othersmight not be prepared or appropriate for deployment on the mobile device502 so the enterprise may elect to provide the mobile user access to theunprepared applications through virtualization techniques. As anotherexample, the enterprise may have large complex applications with largeand complex data sets (e.g., material resource planning applications)where it would be very difficult, or otherwise undesirable, to customizethe application for the mobile device 502 so the enterprise may elect toprovide access to the application through virtualization techniques. Asyet another example, the enterprise may have an application thatmaintains highly secured data (e.g., human resources data, customerdata, engineering data) that may be deemed by the enterprise as toosensitive for even the secured mobile environment so the enterprise mayelect to use virtualization techniques to permit mobile access to suchapplications and data. An enterprise may elect to provide both fullysecured and fully functional applications on the mobile device 502 aswell as a virtualization application 526 to allow access to applicationsthat are deemed more properly operated on the server side. In anembodiment, the virtualization application 526 may store some data,files, etc. on the mobile device 502 in one of the secure storagelocations. An enterprise, for example, may elect to allow certaininformation to be stored on the mobile device 502 while not permittingother information.

In connection with the virtualization application 526, as describedherein, the mobile device 502 may have a virtualization application 526that is designed to present GUIs and then record user interactions withthe GUI. The virtualization application 526 may communicate the userinteractions to the server side to be used by the server sideapplication as user interactions with the application. In response, theapplication on the server side may transmit back to the mobile device502 a new GUI. For example, the new GUI may be a static page, a dynamicpage, an animation, or the like, thereby providing access to remotelylocated resources.

The secure applications 514 may access data stored in a secure datacontainer 528 in the managed partition 510 of the mobile device 502. Thedata secured in the secure data container may be accessed by the securenative applications 514, secure remote applications 522 executed by asecure application launcher 518, virtualization applications 526executed by a secure application launcher 518, and the like. The datastored in the secure data container 528 may include files, databases,and the like. The data stored in the secure data container 528 mayinclude data restricted to a specific secure application 530, sharedamong secure applications 532, and the like. Data restricted to a secureapplication may include secure general data 534 and highly secure data538. Secure general data may use a strong form of encryption such asAdvanced Encryption Standard (AES) 128-bit encryption or the like, whilehighly secure data 538 may use a very strong form of encryption such asAES 256-bit encryption. Data stored in the secure data container 528 maybe deleted from the mobile device 502 upon receipt of a command from thedevice manager 524. The secure applications (e.g., 514, 522, and 526)may have a dual-mode option 540. The dual mode option 540 may presentthe user with an option to operate the secured application in anunsecured or unmanaged mode. In an unsecured or unmanaged mode, thesecure applications may access data stored in an unsecured datacontainer 542 on the unmanaged partition 512 of the mobile device 502.The data stored in an unsecured data container may be personal data 544.The data stored in an unsecured data container 542 may also be accessedby unsecured applications 546 that are running on the unmanagedpartition 512 of the mobile device 502. The data stored in an unsecureddata container 542 may remain on the mobile device 502 when the datastored in the secure data container 528 is deleted from the mobiledevice 502. An enterprise may want to delete from the mobile device 502selected or all data, files, and/or applications owned, licensed orcontrolled by the enterprise (enterprise data) while leaving orotherwise preserving personal data, files, and/or applications owned,licensed or controlled by the user (personal data). This operation maybe referred to as a selective wipe. With the enterprise and personaldata arranged in accordance to the aspects described herein, anenterprise may perform a selective wipe.

The mobile device 502 may connect to enterprise resources 504 andenterprise services 508 at an enterprise, to the public Internet 548,and the like. The mobile device 502 may connect to enterprise resources504 and enterprise services 508 through virtual private networkconnections. The virtual private network connections, also referred toas microVPN or application-specific VPN, may be specific to particularapplications (as illustrated by microVPNs 550, particular devices,particular secured areas on the mobile device (as illustrated by O/S VPN552), and the like. For example, each of the wrapped applications in thesecured area of the mobile device 502 may access enterprise resourcesthrough an application specific VPN such that access to the VPN would begranted based on attributes associated with the application, possibly inconjunction with user or device attribute information. The virtualprivate network connections may carry Microsoft Exchange traffic,Microsoft Active Directory traffic, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)traffic, HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) traffic, applicationmanagement traffic, and the like. The virtual private networkconnections may support and enable single-sign-on authenticationprocesses 554. The single-sign-on processes may allow a user to providea single set of authentication credentials, which are then verified byan authentication service 558. The authentication service 558 may thengrant to the user access to multiple enterprise resources 504, withoutrequiring the user to provide authentication credentials to eachindividual enterprise resource 504.

The virtual private network connections may be established and managedby an access gateway 560. The access gateway 560 may include performanceenhancement features that manage, accelerate, and improve the deliveryof enterprise resources 504 to the mobile device 502. The access gateway560 may also re-route traffic from the mobile device 502 to the publicInternet 548, enabling the mobile device 502 to access publiclyavailable and unsecured applications that run on the public Internet548. The mobile device 502 may connect to the access gateway 560 via atransport protocol or network 562. The transport network 562 may use oneor more transport protocols and may be a wired network, wirelessnetwork, cloud network, local area network, metropolitan area network,wide area network, public network, private network, and the like.

The enterprise resources 504 may include email servers, file sharingservers, SaaS applications, Web application servers, Windows applicationservers, and the like. Email servers may include Exchange servers, LotusNotes servers, and the like. File sharing servers may include ShareFileservers, and the like. SaaS applications may include Salesforce, and thelike. Windows application servers may include any application serverthat is built to provide applications that are intended to run on alocal Windows operating system, and the like. The enterprise resources504 may be premise-based resources, cloud-based resources, and the like.The enterprise resources 504 may be accessed by the mobile device 502directly or through the access gateway 560. The enterprise resources 504may be accessed by the mobile device 502 via the transport network 562.

The enterprise services 508 may include authentication services 558,threat detection services 564, device manager services 524, file sharingservices 568, policy manager services 570, social integration services572, application controller services 574, and the like. Authenticationservices 558 may include user authentication services, deviceauthentication services, application authentication services, dataauthentication services, and the like. Authentication services 558 mayuse certificates. The certificates may be stored on the mobile device502, by the enterprise resources 504, and the like. The certificatesstored on the mobile device 502 may be stored in an encrypted locationon the mobile device 502, the certificate may be temporarily stored onthe mobile device 502 for use at the time of authentication, and thelike. Threat detection services 564 may include intrusion detectionservices, unauthorized access attempt detection services, and the like.Unauthorized access attempt detection services may include unauthorizedattempts to access devices, applications, data, and the like. Devicemanagement services 524 may include configuration, provisioning,security, support, monitoring, reporting, and decommissioning services.File sharing services 568 may include file management services, filestorage services, file collaboration services, and the like. Policymanager services 570 may include device policy manager services,application policy manager services, data policy manager services, andthe like. Social integration services 572 may include contactintegration services, collaboration services, integration with socialnetworks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and the like.Application controller services 574 may include management services,provisioning services, deployment services, assignment services,revocation services, wrapping services, and the like.

The enterprise mobility technical architecture 500 may include anapplication store 578. The application store 578 may include unwrappedapplications 580, pre-wrapped applications 582, and the like.Applications may be populated in the application store 578 from theapplication controller 574. The application store 578 may be accessed bythe mobile device 502 through the access gateway 560, through the publicInternet 548, or the like. The application store 578 may be providedwith an intuitive and easy to use user interface.

A software development kit 584 may provide a user the capability tosecure applications selected by the user by wrapping the application asdescribed previously in this description. An application that has beenwrapped using the software development kit 584 may then be madeavailable to the mobile device 502 by populating it in the applicationstore 578 using the application controller 574.

The enterprise mobility technical architecture 500 may include amanagement and analytics capability 588. The management and analyticscapability 588 may provide information related to how resources areused, how often resources are used, and the like. Resources may includedevices, applications, data, and the like. How resources are used mayinclude which devices download which applications, which applicationsaccess which data, and the like. How often resources are used mayinclude how often an application has been downloaded, how many times aspecific set of data has been accessed by an application, and the like.

FIG. 6 is another illustrative enterprise mobility management system600. Some of the components of the mobility management system 500described above with reference to FIG. 5 have been omitted for the sakeof simplicity. The architecture of the system 600 depicted in FIG. 6 issimilar in many respects to the architecture of the system 500 describedabove with reference to FIG. 5 and may include additional features notmentioned above.

In this case, the left hand side represents an enrolled mobile device602 with a client agent 604, which interacts with gateway server 606(which includes Access Gateway and application controller functionality)to access various enterprise resources 608 and services 609 such asExchange, Sharepoint, public-key infrastructure (PM) Resources, KerberosResources, Certificate Issuance service, as shown on the right hand sideabove. Although not specifically shown, the mobile device 602 may alsointeract with an enterprise application store (StoreFront) for theselection and downloading of applications.

The client agent 604 acts as the UI (user interface) intermediary forWindows apps/desktops hosted in an Enterprise data center, which areaccessed using the High-Definition User Experience (HDX)/ICA displayremoting protocol. The client agent 604 also supports the installationand management of native applications on the mobile device 602, such asnative iOS or Android applications. For example, the managedapplications 610 (mail, browser, wrapped application) shown in thefigure above are all native applications that execute locally on themobile device 602. Client agent 604 and application management frameworkof this architecture act to provide policy driven managementcapabilities and features such as connectivity and SSO (single sign on)to enterprise resources/services 608. The client agent 604 handlesprimary user authentication to the enterprise, normally to AccessGateway (AG) 606 with SSO to other gateway server components. The clientagent 604 obtains policies from gateway server 606 to control thebehavior of the managed applications 610 on the mobile device 602.

The Secure InterProcess Communication (IPC) links 612 between the nativeapplications 610 and client agent 604 represent a management channel,which may allow a client agent to supply policies to be enforced by theapplication management framework 614 “wrapping” each application. TheIPC channel 612 may also allow client agent 604 to supply credential andauthentication information that enables connectivity and SSO toenterprise resources 608. Finally, the IPC channel 612 may allow theapplication management framework 614 to invoke user interface functionsimplemented by client agent 604, such as online and offlineauthentication.

Communications between the client agent 604 and gateway server 606 areessentially an extension of the management channel from the applicationmanagement framework 614 wrapping each native managed application 610.The application management framework 614 may request policy informationfrom client agent 604, which in turn may request it from gateway server606. The application management framework 614 may requestauthentication, and client agent 604 may log into the gateway servicespart of gateway server 606 (also known as NETSCALER ACCESS GATEWAY).Client agent 604 may also call supporting services on gateway server606, which may produce input material to derive encryption keys for thelocal data vaults 616, or may provide client certificates which mayenable direct authentication to PM protected resources, as more fullyexplained below.

In more detail, the application management framework 614 “wraps” eachmanaged application 610. This may be incorporated via an explicit buildstep, or via a post-build processing step. The application managementframework 614 may “pair” with client agent 604 on first launch of anapplication 610 to initialize the Secure IPC channel 612 and obtain thepolicy for that application. The application management framework 614may enforce relevant portions of the policy that apply locally, such asthe client agent login dependencies and some of the containment policiesthat restrict how local OS services may be used, or how they mayinteract with the managed application 610.

The application management framework 614 may use services provided byclient agent 604 over the Secure IPC channel 612 to facilitateauthentication and internal network access. Key management for theprivate and shared data vaults 616 (containers) may be also managed byappropriate interactions between the managed applications 610 and clientagent 604. Vaults 616 may be available only after online authentication,or may be made available after offline authentication if allowed bypolicy. First use of vaults 616 may require online authentication, andoffline access may be limited to at most the policy refresh periodbefore online authentication is again required.

Network access to internal resources may occur directly from individualmanaged applications 610 through Access Gateway 606. The applicationmanagement framework 614 may be responsible for orchestrating thenetwork access on behalf of each managed application 610. Client agent604 may facilitate these network connections by providing suitable timelimited secondary credentials obtained following online authentication.Multiple modes of network connection may be used, such as reverse webproxy connections and end-to-end VPN-style tunnels 618.

The Mail and Browser managed applications 610 have special status andmay make use of facilities that might not be generally available toarbitrary wrapped applications. For example, the Mail application 610may use a special background network access mechanism that allows it toaccess an Exchange server 608 over an extended period of time withoutrequiring a full AG logon. The Browser application 610 may use multipleprivate data vaults 616 to segregate different kinds of data.

This architecture may support the incorporation of various othersecurity features. For example, gateway server 606 (including itsgateway services) in some cases may not need to validate activedirectory (AD) passwords. It can be left to the discretion of anenterprise whether an AD password may be used as an authenticationfactor for some users in some situations. Different authenticationmethods may be used if a user is online or offline (i.e., connected ornot connected to a network).

Step up authentication is a feature wherein gateway server 606 mayidentify managed native applications 610 that are allowed to have accessto highly classified data requiring strong authentication, and ensurethat access to these applications is only permitted after performingappropriate authentication, even if this means a re-authentication isrequired by the user after a prior weaker level of login.

Another security feature of this solution is the encryption of the datavaults 616 (containers) on the mobile device 602. The vaults 616 may beencrypted so that all on-device data including files, databases, andconfigurations are protected. For on-line vaults, the keys may be storedon the server (gateway server 606), and for off-line vaults, a localcopy of the keys may be protected by a user password or biometricvalidation. If or when data is stored locally on the mobile device 602in the secure container 616, it may be preferred that a minimum of AES256 encryption algorithm be utilized.

Other secure container features may also be implemented. For example, alogging feature may be included, wherein security events happeninginside a managed application 610 may be logged and reported to thebackend. Data wiping may be supported, such as if or when the managedapplication 610 detects tampering, associated encryption keys may bewritten over with random data, leaving no hint on the file system thatuser data was destroyed. Screenshot protection may be another feature,where an application may prevent any data from being stored inscreenshots. For example, the key window's hidden property may be set toYES. This may cause whatever content is currently displayed on thescreen to be hidden, resulting in a blank screenshot where any contentwould normally reside.

Local data transfer may be prevented, such as by preventing any datafrom being locally transferred outside the application container, e.g.,by copying it or sending it to an external application. A keyboard cachefeature may operate to disable the autocorrect functionality forsensitive text fields. SSL certificate validation may be operable so theapplication specifically validates the server SSL certificate instead ofit being stored in the keychain. An encryption key generation featuremay be used such that the key used to encrypt data on the mobile device602 is generated using a passphrase or biometric data supplied by theuser (if offline access is required). It may be XORed with another keyrandomly generated and stored on the server side if offline access isnot required. Key Derivation functions may operate such that keysgenerated from the user password use KDFs (key derivation functions,notably Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2 (PBKDF2)) rather thancreating a cryptographic hash of it. The latter makes a key susceptibleto brute force or dictionary attacks.

Further, one or more initialization vectors may be used in encryptionmethods. An initialization vector will cause multiple copies of the sameencrypted data to yield different cipher text output, preventing bothreplay and cryptanalytic attacks. This will also prevent an attackerfrom decrypting any data even with a stolen encryption key. Further,authentication then decryption may be used, wherein application data isdecrypted only after the user has authenticated within the application.Another feature may relate to sensitive data in memory, which may bekept in memory (and not in disk) only when it's needed. For example,login credentials may be wiped from memory after login, and encryptionkeys and other data inside objective-C instance variables are notstored, as they may be easily referenced. Instead, memory may bemanually allocated for these.

An inactivity timeout may be implemented, wherein after a policy-definedperiod of inactivity, a user session is terminated.

Data leakage from the application management framework 614 may beprevented in other ways. For example, if or when a managed application610 is put in the background, the memory may be cleared after apredetermined (configurable) time period. When backgrounded, a snapshotmay be taken of the last displayed screen of the application to fastenthe foregrounding process. The screenshot may contain confidential dataand hence should be cleared.

Another security feature may relate to the use of an OTP (one timepassword) 620 without the use of an AD (active directory) 622 passwordfor access to one or more applications. In some cases, some users do notknow (or are not permitted to know) their AD password, so these usersmay authenticate using an OTP 620 such as by using a hardware OTP systemlike SecurID (OTPs may be provided by different vendors also, such asEntrust or Gemalto). In some cases, after a user authenticates with auser ID, a text may be sent to the user with an OTP 620. In some cases,this may be implemented only for online use, with a prompt being asingle field.

An offline password may be implemented for offline authentication forthose managed applications 610 for which offline use is permitted viaenterprise policy. For example, an enterprise may want StoreFront to beaccessed in this manner In this case, the client agent 604 may requirethe user to set a custom offline password and the AD password is notused. Gateway server 606 may provide policies to control and enforcepassword standards with respect to the minimum length, character classcomposition, and age of passwords, such as described by the standardWindows Server password complexity requirements, although theserequirements may be modified.

Another feature may relate to the enablement of a client sidecertificate for certain applications 610 as secondary credentials (forthe purpose of accessing PM protected web resources via the applicationmanagement framework micro VPN feature). For example, a managedapplication 610 may utilize such a certificate. In this case,certificate-based authentication using ActiveSync protocol may besupported, wherein a certificate from the client agent 604 may beretrieved by gateway server 606 and used in a keychain. Each managedapplication 610 may have one associated client certificate, identifiedby a label that is defined in gateway server 606.

Gateway server 606 may interact with an enterprise special purpose webservice to support the issuance of client certificates to allow relevantmanaged applications to authenticate to internal PM protected resources.

The client agent 604 and the application management framework 614 may beenhanced to support obtaining and using client certificates forauthentication to internal PM protected network resources. More than onecertificate may be supported, such as to match various levels ofsecurity and/or separation requirements. The certificates may be used bythe Mail and Browser managed applications 610, and ultimately byarbitrary wrapped applications 610 (provided those applications use webservice style communication patterns where it is reasonable for theapplication management framework to mediate HTTPS requests).

Application management client certificate support on iOS may rely onimporting a public-key cryptography standards (PKCS) 12 BLOB (BinaryLarge Object) into the iOS keychain in each managed application 610 foreach period of use. Application management framework client certificatesupport may use a HTTPS implementation with private in-memory keystorage. The client certificate may not be present in the iOS keychainand may not be persisted except potentially in “online-only” data valuethat is strongly protected.

Mutual SSL or TLS may also be implemented to provide additional securityby requiring that a mobile device 602 is authenticated to theenterprise, and vice versa. Virtual smart cards for authentication togateway server 606 may also be implemented.

Both limited and full Kerberos support may be additional features. Thefull support feature relates to an ability to do full Kerberos login toActive Directory (AD) 622, using an AD password or trusted clientcertificate, and obtain Kerberos service tickets to respond to HTTPNegotiate authentication challenges. The limited support feature relatesto constrained delegation in Citrix Access Gateway Enterprise Edition(AGEE), where AGEE supports invoking Kerberos protocol transition so itcan obtain and use Kerberos service tickets (subject to constraineddelegation) in response to HTTP Negotiate authentication challenges.This mechanism works in reverse web proxy (aka corporate virtual privatenetwork (CVPN)) mode, and when HTTP (but not HTTPS) connections areproxied in VPN and MicroVPN mode.

Another feature may relate to application container locking and wiping,which may automatically occur upon jail-break or rooting detections, andoccur as a pushed command from administration console, and may include aremote wipe functionality even when a managed application 610 is notrunning.

A multi-site architecture or configuration of enterprise applicationstore and an application controller may be supported that allows usersto be serviced from one of several different locations in case offailure.

In some cases, managed applications 610 may be allowed to access acertificate and private key via an API (for example, OpenSSL). Trustedmanaged applications 610 of an enterprise may be allowed to performspecific Public Key operations with an application's client certificateand private key. Various use cases may be identified and treatedaccordingly, such as if or when an application behaves like a browserand no certificate access is required, if or when an application reads acertificate for “who am I,” if or when an application uses thecertificate to build a secure session token, and if or when anapplication uses private keys for digital signing of important data(e.g. transaction log) or for temporary data encryption.

Automated Keyboard Mapping for Virtual Desktops

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an illustrative computing environment configuredto perform automated keyboard mapping for virtual desktops in accordancewith one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 7A, computingenvironment 700 may include one or more computer systems. For example,computing environment 700 may include a keyboard mapping test platform702 and a remote desktop host platform 703.

As illustrated in greater detail below, keyboard mapping test platform702 may include one or more computing devices configured to perform oneor more of the functions described herein. For example, keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may include one or more computers (e.g., laptopcomputers, desktop computers, servers, server blades, or the like). Inone or more instances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may be apersonal computing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer,desktop computer, or the like). In some instances, the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may generate and implement a keyboard mapping testautomation script to verify keyboard mapping in one or more testscenarios, and may cause automated correction of any keyboard mappingdetermined to be incorrect.

Remote desktop host platform 703 may be a computer system that includesone or more computing devices and/or other computer components (e.g.,processors, memories, communication interfaces). In one or moreinstances, remote desktop host platform 703 correspond to one or moreservers configured to host virtual desktops/applications that may beaccessed by the keyboard mapping test platform 702. In addition, remotedesktop host platform 703 may be configured to implement the keyboardmapping test automation script to cause outputs corresponding to the oneor more test scenarios run by the keyboard mapping test platform 702.

Computing environment 700 may also include one or more networks, whichmay interconnect keyboard mapping test platform 702 and remote desktophost platform 703. For example, computing environment 700 may include awired or wireless network 701 (which may e.g., interconnect keyboardmapping test platform 702 and remote desktop host platform 703).

In one or more arrangements, keyboard mapping test platform 702, remotedesktop host platform 703, and/or the other systems included incomputing environment 700 may be any type of computing device capable ofreceiving a user interface (e.g., browser interface, virtual desktopinterface, or the like), receiving input via the user interface, andcommunicating the received input to one or more other computing devices.For example, keyboard mapping test platform 702, remote desktop hostplatform 703, and/or the other systems included in computing environment700 may in some instances, be and/or include server computers, desktopcomputers, laptop computers, tablet computers, smart phones, or the likethat may include one or more processors, memories, communicationinterfaces, storage devices, and/or other components. As noted above,and as illustrated in greater detail below, any and/or all of keyboardmapping test platform 702 and remote desktop host platform 703 may, insome instances, be special purpose computing devices configured toperform specific functions.

Referring to FIG. 7B, keyboard mapping test platform 702 may include oneor more processors 711, memory 712, and communication interface 713. Adata bus may interconnect processor 711, memory 712, and communicationinterface 713. Communication interface 713 may be a network interfaceconfigured to support communication between the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 and one or more networks (e.g., network 701, or the like).Memory 712 may include one or more program modules having instructionsthat when executed by processor 711 cause keyboard mapping test platform702 to perform one or more functions described herein and/or access oneor more databases that may store and/or otherwise maintain informationwhich may be used by such program modules and/or processor 711. In someinstances, the one or more program modules and/or databases may bestored by and/or maintained in different memory units of keyboardmapping test platform 702 and/or by different computing devices that mayform and/or otherwise make up keyboard mapping test platform 702. Forexample, memory 712 may have, host, store, and/or include keyboardmapping test module 712 a, a keyboard mapping test database 712 b, and amachine learning engine 712 c. Keyboard mapping test module 712 a mayhave instructions that direct and/or cause keyboard mapping testplatform 702 to execute advanced techniques for testing and correctingkeyboard mapping tables (e.g., by generating keyboard outputs locallyand at a virtual desktop, comparing the outputs of platforms 702 and703, and automatically correcting inconsistencies of the outputs of theplatforms 702 and 703), as discussed in greater detail below. Thekeyboard mapping test database 712 b may store information used bykeyboard mapping test module 712 a and/or keyboard mapping test platform702 in correcting keyboard mapping and/or in performing other functions.Machine learning engine 712 c may have instructions that direct and/orcause the keyboard mapping test platform 702 to perform a comparison oflocal and virtual desktop keyboard outputs and to set, define, and/oriteratively refine optimization rules and/or other parameters used bythe keyboard mapping test platform 702 and/or other systems in computingenvironment 700. In one or more instances, in refining the optimizationrules, the machine learning engine 712 c may cause the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 to refine machine learning algorithms and datasetsthat may be used to compare the local and virtual desktop keyboardoutputs.

FIGS. 8A-8B depict an illustrative event sequence for deploying anenhanced processing system that performs automated keyboard mapping forvirtual desktops in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Forconvenience, steps 801-818 are shown across FIGS. 8A-8B. However, itshould be understood that steps 801-818 represent a single eventsequence (e.g., step 812 in FIG. 8B may follow step 811 in FIG. 8A).Referring to FIG. 8A, at step 801, the keyboard mapping test platform702 may generate a keyboard mapping table. In one or more instances, thekeyboard mapping table may be a means for mapping keyboard input valuesto keyboard output values for various operating conditions. In one ormore instances, in generating the keyboard mapping table, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may compile a table that includes an operatingsystem type, a browser type, a keyboard mode (e.g., Chinese, Japanese,United States, or the like), a keyboard input, or the like as inputs.Although this disclosure primarily refers to the keyboard input as asingle key input (e.g. a single letter), it should be understood thatthis disclosure applies to multi-key combinations, commands, or the likein addition to individual keys. In these instances, the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may include an output of the table that corresponds toan independent computing architecture (ICA) value corresponding with theinputs. In generating the keyboard mapping table, the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may generate a table similar to keyboard mapping table1015, which is shown in FIG. 10B. The keyboard mapping table 1015 showswhen the keyboard mapping test platform 702 is running WINDOWS™ 10 byMICROSOFT, using CHROME™ by GOOGLE as a browser, and using a Japanesekeyboard, if the “a” key is pressed on a keyboard corresponding to thekeyboard mapping test platform 702, an ICA value of 97 should be outputto cause display of “a” in the local browser and/or a virtual desktoprunning at the keyboard mapping test platform 702. In some instances,the keyboard mapping table may correspond to more than one row of inputsand corresponding outputs. For example, the keyboard mapping table maycorrespond to all key input scenarios to be tested. In one or moreinstances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may generate thekeyboard mapping table based on user input received. Additionally oralternatively, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may automaticallygenerate the keyboard mapping table based on potential key inputscenarios. For example, if CHROME™ by GOOGLE and INTERNET EXPLORER™ byMICROSOFT are both installed at the keyboard mapping test platform 702,the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may automatically generate akeyboard mapping table that includes key input scenarios correspondingto both browsers.

At step 802, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may receive one ormore inputs such as software components (operating systems, browsers,keyboard modes, or the like) or information (information identifying theoperating systems, browsers, keyboard modes, or the like), which shouldbe installed to configure the keyboard mapping test platform 702 to testvarious keyboard input scenarios. In one or more instances, the one ormore inputs may correspond to the keyboard mapping table generated atstep 801. For example the one or more inputs may be information aboutsoftware components such as operating systems, browsers, or the likeinstalled at the keyboard mapping test platform 702 to simulate akeyboard input under conditions specified in the keyboard mapping table.In one or more instances, the one or more inputs may be the softwarecomponents themselves. In one or more instances, the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may automatically retrieve the one or more inputsbased on the keyboard mapping table. In one or more instances, thekeyboard mapping test platform may retrieve the one or more inputs fromthe remote desktop host platform 703. Additionally or alternatively, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may receive the one or more inputs asuser inputs.

At step 803, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may generate akeyboard mapping test automation script. In one or more instances, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may generate the keyboard mappingtest automation script by accessing the keyboard mapping table generatedat step 801, an internet protocol corresponding to the keyboard mappingtest platform 702, a username, a password, or the like as inputs. Inthese instances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may generate ascript that, when implemented, may cause the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 to cause output of ICA values corresponding to the keyinput scenarios in the keyboard mapping table.

At step 804, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may initiate thekeyboard mapping test automation script generated at step 803. Byinitiating the keyboard mapping test automation script, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may cause performance of steps 805-816, whichare described in further detail below. In one or more instances, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may initiate the keyboard mappingtest automation script in response to receiving a user input.Additionally or alternatively, the keyboard mapping test platform 702may automatically initiate the keyboard mapping test automation scriptat a predetermined interval (e.g., once a month) or upon determiningthat new software components have been installed (e.g., a Japanesekeyboard is installed).

At step 805, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may create a testenvironment. In one or more instances, in creating the test environment,the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may cause installation of the oneor more inputs received at step 802. For example, the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may install any operating systems, browsers,keyboards, or the like indicated by the one or more inputs. In instanceswhere the inputs received at step 802 are information corresponding tosoftware components (rather than the software components themselves),the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may download the softwarecomponents indicated in the information.

At step 806, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may continue tocreate the test environment by establishing a connection with the remotedesktop host platform 703. In one or more instances, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may establish a wireless data connection withthe remote desktop host platform 703 to link the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 to the remote desktop host platform 703. In establishingthe connection with the remote desktop host platform 703, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may establish a connection with a remotedesktop host platform 703 configured to host virtual desktops that areenabled to run the one or more inputs. For example, the remote desktophost platform 703 may be configured to host a virtual desktop enabled torun the same operating systems, browsers, keyboards, or the like as thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 and/or a local client device. In oneor more instances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may establishthe connection with the remote desktop host platform 703 using a remotedesktop protocol (RDP).

At step 807, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may generate andsend one or more commands directing the remote desktop host platform 703to simulate a keyboard input received at the platform 702. In one ormore instances, in sending the one or more commands, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may send an ICA value corresponding to akeyboard input to the remote desktop host platform 703. In one or moreinstances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may send the one ormore commands directing the remote desktop host platform 703 to simulatethe keyboard input received at the platform 702 via the communicationinterface 713 and while the wireless data connection is established. Inone or more instances, the one or more commands directing the remotedesktop host platform 703 to simulate the keyboard input may direct theremote desktop host platform 703 to simulate a keyboard input from thekeyboard mapping table that has not yet been simulated. For example, thekeyboard mapping table may contain multiple keyboard inputs (e.g., a, b,c, or the like). After simulating a first keyboard input (e.g, a), thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may send one or more commandsdirecting the remote desktop host platform 703 to simulate a secondkeyboard input (e.g., b) that has not yet been simulated. In someinstances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may send one or morecommands directing the remote desktop host platform 703 to simulate amultiple key command (e.g., ctrl+v, or the like). In these instances,the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may send the one or more commandsto the remote desktop host platform 703 in response to determining thata first key (e.g., ctrl) is being held down when a second key (e.g., v)is pressed.

At step 808, the remote desktop host platform 703 may receive the one ormore commands directing the remote desktop host platform 703 to simulatethe keyboard input received at the keyboard mapping test platform 702.In one or more instances, the remote desktop host platform 703 mayreceive the one or more commands directing the remote desktop hostplatform 703 to simulate the keyboard input while the wireless dataconnection is established. In these instances, the remote desktop hostplatform 703 may receive an ICA value and may perform a lookup functiondetermine a key corresponding to the ICA value using a locally storedcopy of the keyboard mapping table.

At step 809, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 and the remotedesktop host platform 703 may simulate the keyboard input. In someinstances, by simulating the keyboard input, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 and the remote desktop host platform 703 may each causedisplay or otherwise process an output corresponding to the keyboardinput. In simulating the keyboard input, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may use a test program (e.g., a text editor) at thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 to simulate a particular key, keycombination, key command, or the like specified by the keyboard inputand to generate an output. For example, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may simulate the keyboard input corresponding to the letter“a” key resulting in an output of “a” at the keyboard mapping testplatform 702.

In simulating the keyboard input, the remote desktop host platform 703may simulate the same key, key combination, key command or the like assimulated by the keyboard mapping test platform 702 (e.g., based on theICA value received at step 808) using a test program (e.g., a texteditor) at the remote desktop host platform 703 to cause output at thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 or another local computing device viaa virtual desktop interface. For example, the remote desktop hostplatform 703 may also simulate the keyboard input corresponding to theletter “a” key, and may generate an output based on the simulation.

At step 810, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may output a localdisplay and a virtual desktop interface each of which may include akeyboard simulation output. These keyboard simulation outputs may begenerated by the simulations of the keyboard input at the keyboardmapping test platform 702 and the remote desktop host platform 703respectively at step 809. For example, if the keyboard input correspondsto the letter “a” key, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may causea keyboard simulation output corresponding to input from the letter “a”key to be displayed in the text editor (e.g., the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may display the letter “a” in the text editor). Inoutputting the keyboard simulation output, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may display a graphical user interface similar to graphicaluser interface 1005, which is shown in FIG. 10A. In some instances, thekeyboard simulation output by the keyboard mapping test platform 702 maybe presumed correct because it is a local machine output. Although FIG.10A depicts a single keyboard simulation output on each of the localdesktop and virtual desktop, it should be understood that the localdesktop and virtual desktop may display multiple keyboard simulationoutputs at once (e.g., if a word or phrase was typed as the keyboardinput).

Similarly, the remote desktop host platform 703 may cause a keyboardsimulation output corresponding to the keyboard input to be displayed atthe keyboard mapping test platform 702 via a virtual desktop interface.If the keyboard mapping table stored by the remote desktop host platform703 is correct, then the keyboard simulation output at the remotedesktop host platform 703 should match the keyboard simulation output atthe keyboard mapping test platform 702 (e.g., the virtual desktopinterface should also display the letter “a”). In outputting thesimulated keyboard input, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 maydisplay a graphical user interface similar to graphical user interface1010, which is shown in FIG. 10A. However, this might not always be thecase. For example, in some instances, the remote desktop host platform703 may incorrectly map the keyboard input, and may cause output of anincorrect character or command at the virtual desktop. This is shown ingraphical user interfaces 1105 and 1110 which are depicted in FIG. 11A.For example, the local keyboard simulation output shown by graphicaluser interface 1105 is the letter “a,” whereas the virtual desktopkeyboard simulation output shown by the graphical user interface 1110 isthe letter “b.” In these instances, the keyboard simulation output bythe keyboard mapping test platform 702 may be presumed correct becauseit is a local machine output.

In one or more instances, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 maycause display of the local and virtual desktop keyboard simulationoutputs simultaneously. In other instances, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may cause display of the local and virtual desktop keyboardsimulation outputs at separate times.

At step 811, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may capturescreenshots of the local and virtual desktop keyboard simulationoutputs. In capturing the screenshots, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may capture screenshots of graphical user interfacessimilar to graphical user interfaces 1005 and 1010 shown in FIG. 10A or1105 and 1110 shown in FIG. 10B.

Referring to FIG. 8B, at step 812, the keyboard mapping test platform702 may compare the screenshots captured at step 812. In comparing thescreen shots, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may perform textrecognition on the screenshots, and compare the local and virtualdesktop keyboard simulation outputs. In comparing the screenshots, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may determine whether the remotedesktop host platform 703 mapped the keyboard input to the same keyboardsimulation output as the keyboard mapping test platform 702. Incomparing the screenshots, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 maydetermine that it's local keyboard mapping table is correct, whereas akeyboard mapping table stored by the remote desktop host platform 703 isincorrect. In one or more instances, the keyboard mapping test platform702 may compare a local keyboard mapping table with a keyboard mappingtable stored at the remote desktop host platform 703.

At step 813, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may either mark orrecord the ICA value output by the remote desktop host platform 703. If,at step 812, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 determined that thescreenshots contained matching keyboard simulation outputs, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may record the ICA value output by the remotedesktop host platform 703 in the keyboard mapping table. For example,the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may fill in the keyboard mappingtable 1015 to include an ICA value of 97 after determining that thegraphical user interfaces 1005 and 1010, corresponding to the localdesktop and the virtual desktop respectively, match (e.g., the key inputwas “a” and both interfaces display “a.”

If the keyboard mapping test platform 702 determined that thescreenshots did not contain matching keyboard simulation outputs, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may indicate an error in the keyboardmapping table. For example, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 mayfill in the ICA value as shown in keyboard mapping table 1115, shown inFIG. 11B. Rather than including the ICA value that was output, thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may mark the ICA value as “error,”after determining (as depicted by graphical user interfaces 1105 and1110 in FIG. 11A) that the keyboard simulation outputs by the keyboardmapping test platform 702 and the remote desktop host platform 703 donot match (e.g., the key input was “a,” the local desktop outputs “a,”but the virtual desktop outputs “b.” In some instances, rather thanmarking the ICA value as error, the keyboard mapping test platform 702may leave the ICA value in the keyboard mapping table blank.

At step 814, after updating the keyboard mapping table, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may reset the test environment to test a newkeyboard input. In one or more instances, in resetting the testenvironment, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may reset thekeyboard input (e.g., prepare the keyboard mapping test platform 702 totest a new keyboard input such as “b”). For example, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may reset the test environment from a keyboardinput of “a” so that a keyboard input of “b” may be tested (e.g., thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 may proceed to simulate a subsequentrow of the keyboard mapping table). In these instances, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may reset a portion of the test environment(e.g., may leave the operating system, keyboard, or the like the same).

At step 815, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may determinewhether all of the keyboard inputs included in the keyboard mappingtable have been tested. For example, the keyboard mapping test platform702 may proceed linearly through the keyboard mapping table to test eachentry. Once the keyboard mapping test platform 702 proceeds through theentire keyboard mapping table, the keyboard mapping test platform 702may determine that all keyboard inputs in the keyboard mapping tablehave been tested. In one or more instances, the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may determine whether an entry in the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 has been simulated based on a determination that an ICAvalue or an error value is present for the entry. If not, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may return to step 809 to simulate theadditional keyboard input. If all of the keyboard inputs included in thekeyboard mapping table have been tested, the keyboard mapping testplatform may proceed to step 816.

At step 816, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may delete thetesting environment. In one or more instances, in deleting the testingenvironment, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may terminate theconnection to the virtual desktop hosted by the remote desktop hostplatform.

At step 817, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may update the ICAvalue in the keyboard mapping table for any keyboard inputs markedincorrect at step 813. If the keyboard mapping test platform 702determines that the value of the key input is defined in ICA protocol(e.g., stored in an ICA protocol database), then the keyboard mappingtest platform 702 may read the correct value and update it in thekeyboard mapping table. In some instances, the updates may occur one byone. In other instances, the updates may occur as a single batch update.If the keyboard mapping test platform 702 determines that the key valueis not defined in ICA protocol, the keyboard mapping test platform 702may define the key value in ICA protocol (e.g., assign an ICA value inthe ICA protocol database) and update both the ICA protocol and thekeyboard mapping table.

At step 818, the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may store theupdated keyboard mapping table. In one or more instances, in storing theupdated keyboard mapping table, the keyboard mapping test platform 702may overwrite an existing keyboard mapping table. In other instances,the keyboard mapping test platform 702 may delete an existing keyboardmapping table and save a new one. In one or more instances, the keyboardmapping test platform 702 may store the updated keyboard mapping tablein the keyboard mapping test database 712 b. As a result, if thekeyboard mapping test platform 702 accesses a subsequent virtual desktophosted by the remote desktop host platform 703, the keyboard mappingwill be correct where it was previously incorrect. Accordingly, uponreceiving an actual keyboard input, the system may apply the correctedkeyboard mapping table.

As described above, it should be understood that although steps 801-818are described primarily with regard to a keyboard input corresponding toa single key, (e.g. “a”), the method described herein also applies tocommands associated with keystrokes (e.g., ctrl+c, ctrl+v, or the like).

Subsequently, the event sequence may end, and the keyboard mapping testplatform 702 may continue to access virtual desktops and cause keyboardsimulation outputs at the virtual desktops corresponding to keyboardinputs. Additionally, the keyboard mapping test platform may testkeyboard inputs under new or varied testing conditions (e.g., change theoperating system, browser, and keyboard combinations and verify thecorresponding keyboard mappings). Accordingly, an automatic way todetermine all incorrect keyboard mappings for a plurality of testscenarios is determined. Additionally, rather than modifying codecorresponding to an error value, merely a keyboard mapping table may bemaintained. Accordingly, the difficulty and time commitmentcorresponding to adjusting an error value may be reduced.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative method for performing automated keyboardmapping for virtual desktops in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments. Referring to FIG. 9, at step 905, a computing device havingat least one processor, a communication interface, and memory may createa keyboard mapping table. Actions performed at step 905 may be similarto those described above with regard to step 801. At step 910, thecomputing device may receive one or more inputs. Actions performed atstep 910 may be similar to those described above with regard to step802. At step 915, the computing device may write a keyboard mapping testautomation script to automatically test keyboard mapping at a virtualdesktop. Actions performed at step 915 may be similar to those describedabove with regard to step 803. At step 920, the computing device mayinitiate the keyboard mapping test automation script generated at step915. Actions performed at step 920 may be similar to those describedabove with regard to step 904. At step 925, the computing device maycreate a test environment to test one or more keyboard inputs. Actionsperformed at step 925 may be similar to those described above withregard to step 805. At step 930, the computing device may simulate akeyboard input in the test environment by running the keyboard mappingtest automation script. By simulating the keyboard input, the computingdevice may generate an output corresponding to the keyboard input.Actions performed at step 930 may be similar to those described abovewith regard to step 809-810. At step 935, the computing device maycapture screenshots of a local and a virtual desktop displayed on adisplay of the computing device. Actions performed at step 935 may besimilar to those described above with regard to step 811. At step 940,the computing device may compare the screenshot captured at step 935.Actions performed at step 940 may be similar to those described abovewith regard to step 812. At step 945, the computing device may determinewhether the outputs in each screenshot match. If the computing devicedetermines that the outputs do match, the computing device may proceedto step 950. If the computing device determines that the outputs do notmatch, the computing device may proceed to step 955.

At step 950, the computing device may record the correct ICA value inthe keyboard mapping table. At step 955, the computing device may markan incorrect value in the keyboard mapping table. Actions performed atsteps 950-955 may be similar to those described above with regard tostep 813. At step 960, the computing device may reset the testenvironment to prepare the test environment to simulate a new keyboardinput. Actions performed at step 960 may be similar to those describedabove with regard to step 814. At step 965, the computing device maydetermine whether all keyboard inputs in the keyboard mapping table havebeen processed. If some keyboard inputs in the keyboard mapping tablehave not been processed, the computing device may return to step 930. Ifall keyboard inputs have been processed, the computing device mayproceed to step 970. Actions performed at step 965 may be similar tothose described above with regard to step 815.

At step 970, the computing device may delete the test environment.Actions performed at step 970 may be similar to those described abovewith regard to step 816. At step 975, the computing device may correctthe ICA values corresponding to the error outputs marked at step 955,and may store the updated keyboard mapping table. Actions performed atstep 975 may be similar to those described above with regard to steps817-818.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are described asexample implementations of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: at least one processor; anda memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed bythe at least one processor, cause the system to: generate, using ascript and in response to entry of an input from a keyboard, output,wherein: the output simulates, both locally and at a remote application,the input from the keyboard, the script is configured to capturescreenshots of the system and the remote application, and thescreenshots include the output; modify a value indicative of the inputbased on a comparison of the screenshots; and in response to receipt ofanother input by the system, initiate display, based on the modifiedvalue, of output corresponding to the another input, the modified valuebeing indicative of the another input.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising generating a keyboard mapping table containing a plurality ofinputs, including the input and the another input, and correspondingvalues indicative of the input, including the value indicative of theinput.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein modifying the value indicativeof the input based on the comparison of the screenshots comprisesmodifying one of the corresponding values indicative of the inputincluded in the keyboard mapping table.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein modifying the value indicative of the input based on thecomparison of the screenshots comprises results in a corrected keyboardmapping table.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein initiating display ofthe corresponding output further comprises applying the correctedkeyboard mapping table.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output andthe corresponding output comprise keyboard simulation outputs.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, further cause the system to:compare the local output and the remote output; and identify adiscrepancy between the local output and the remote output, whereinmodifying the value indicative of the input based on the comparison ofthe screenshots is in response to identifying the discrepancy.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the input and the another input have the samekey value.
 9. A method comprising: generating, by a system, using ascript, and in response to entry of an input from a keyboard, output,wherein: the output simulates, both locally and at a remote application,the input from the keyboard, the script is configured to capturescreenshots of the system and the remote application, and thescreenshots include the output; modifying a value indicative of theinput based on a comparison of the screenshots; and in response toreceipt of another input by the system, initiating display, based on themodified value, of output corresponding to the another input, themodified value being indicative of the another input.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising generating a keyboard mapping tablecontaining a plurality of inputs, including the input and the anotherinput, and corresponding values indicative of the input, including thevalue indicative of the input.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinmodifying the value indicative of the input based on the comparison ofthe screenshots comprises modifying one of the corresponding valuesindicative of the input included in the keyboard mapping table.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein modifying the value indicative of the inputbased on the comparison of the screenshots comprises results in acorrected keyboard mapping table.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereininitiating display of the corresponding output further comprisesapplying the corrected keyboard mapping table.
 14. The method of claim9, wherein the output and the corresponding output comprise keyboardsimulation outputs.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:comparing the local output and the remote output; and identifying adiscrepancy between the local output and the remote output, whereinmodifying the value indicative of the input based on the comparison ofthe screenshots is in response to identifying the discrepancy.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the input and the another input have the samekey value.
 17. One or more non-transitory computer-readable mediastoring instructions that, when executed by a system comprising at leastone processor, a communication interface, and memory, cause the systemto: generate, using a script and in response to entry of an input from akeyboard, output, wherein: the output simulates, both locally and at aremote application, the input from the keyboard, the script isconfigured to capture screenshots of the system and the remoteapplication, and the screenshots include the output; modify a valueindicative of the input based on a comparison of the screenshots; and inresponse to receipt of another input by the system, initiate display,based on the modified value, of output corresponding to the anotherinput, the modified value being indicative of the another input.
 18. Theone or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, furthercomprising generating a keyboard mapping table containing a plurality ofinputs, including the input and the another input, and correspondingvalues indicative of the input, including the value indicative of theinput.
 19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 18, wherein modifying the value indicative of the input based onthe comparison of the screenshots comprises modifying one of thecorresponding values indicative of the input included in the keyboardmapping table.
 20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 19, wherein modifying the value indicative of the inputbased on the comparison of the screenshots comprises results in acorrected keyboard mapping table.